The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for April 24, 2026
Virginia became the 18th state to join the National Popular Vote Compact April 13th, bringing the electoral votes of committed states and DC to 222 of the 270 needed for the Compact to go into effect. It would render the presidential electoral college moot, and ensure the candidate with the most popular votes wins.
STATES IN THE NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE COMPACT
- California (Joined 2011)
- Colorado (Joined 2020)
- Connecticut (Joined 2018)
- Delaware (Joined 2019)
- District of Columbia (Joined 2010)
- Hawaii (Joined 2008)
- Illinois (Joined 2008)
- Maine (Joined 2024)
- Maryland (Joined 2007)
- Massachusetts (Joined 2010)
- Minnesota (Joined 2023)
- New Jersey (Joined 2008)
- New Mexico (Joined 2019)
- New York (Joined 2014)
- Oregon (Joined 2019)
- Rhode Island (Joined 2013)
- Vermont (Joined 2011)
- Washington (Joined 2009)
In five U.S. elections, most recently George Bush in 2000, and Donald Trump in 2016, the candidate winning the electoral college had fewer popular votes. Vice President Al Gore won the popular vote by almost 544,000 votes in 2000, and Hillary Clinton by over 2.8 million in 2016.
When activated – which could be years away – participating states would pledge their electors to support the candidate with the most votes nationally, neutralizing the electoral college. A 2024 Pew Research poll found 63% of Americans support the popular vote as the means of electing the president.
Not all constitutional scholars agree that this end run around the electoral college is constitutional, however. The Elections Clause grants the power of election administration and how electors are chosen to the states. Justice Clarence Thomas argues the Constitution is silent on whether a state can dictate how an elector votes. Others say it requires Congressional approval.
We’ve linked to the National Popular Vote Compact’s explainer at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
National Popular Vote Compact – History of Virginia’s Path to Joining of the NPV Compact
National Popular Vote Compact (via YouTube) – NPVC: What It Is – Why It’s Needed
NPR – Virginia joins a national effort to ensure only popular vote winners become president
American Constitution Society – (2017( The National Popular Vote Compact Via Direct Democracy
University of Chicago Law Review – Does Chiafalo v. Washington Bolster the Case for the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact? Not So Fast.
Pew Research – (2024) Majority of Americans continue to favor moving away from Electoral College
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (2024) Maine Becomes the 17th State to Join the National Popular Vote Compact
American Democracy Minute – (2025) Among 2024 Electoral College Presidential Electors Were 13 Alleged 2020 Fake Electors, Some of Whom Await Trial on Fraud Charges
Groups Taking Action:
National Popular Vote, Common Cause
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
#NewsAlerts #AmericanDemocracy #NationalPopularVote #Virginia #EqualVote #OnePersonOneVote